by Rae Hilhorst

BBC Code of a Killer – Critical

Code of a Killer

Code of a Killer

I’m watching a BBC series called Code of a Killer which revolves around the discovery of DNA and it’s use in catching a killer. A story of a scientist and a detective, how they cracked the biggest advance in criminal investigation. One things for sure I am learning a lot.

1986

This series intrigued me a plenty as that was the year (1986) I was pregnant with Brittany. Watching the show, I’m horrified at the fashion, the minimal technology (we have come along way in such a short space of time), I feel they have got it wrong or maybe it’s my blurred memory. The feel of the show looks like the 70’s, the British were always ahead of us not behind. So maybe it’s just me. Creators of this series also have their hands up for Broadchurch and Line of Duty. You just know with that pedigree it’s going to be good.

The main character, a male, his hair is driving me nuts, goes from black to medium dark brown with regrowth and black again oops, though in all fairness, could just be the light, but I swear one frame his regrowth was worse than I would ever have let mine go.

Bright Electric Blue

That colour and strength of blue is clearly a favourite of someones or of the times. I can’t decide as it pops in and out of the show like an embarrassed relative. Bright electric blue door handles in one scene and on doors the next, usually in government buildings, clearly on trend then. I remember here in 1986 the trend was coloured toilet bowls and basins, either a soft green (avocado) or a pink (rose). What were we thinking?

I’m on the lookout for lace curtains remember those plastered across every single window. I put up my hand I am a guilty party to that craze. It got messy when mould wove it’s wicked way into the intricate white lace. (depends what country and what weather you were exposed to).

Smoking

Oh and everyone smoked!

The rooms are hazy, lit cigarettes are thrown to the ground in disgust after intense dialogue, some cigarettes are not even stubbed out or ground into the pavement, (a sin and fire hazard here in WA) watching the way some characters grind the cigarette into the pavement like they wished it never happened, eyes focused on the task deep in thought (where did we go wrong, or are they thinking, what’s my next line).

Tape Recorders

The use of tape recorders makes me smile, (now every man and his dog has a mobile phone to do the job) those small oblong cream coloured boxes with wide black buttons mimicking stubby piano keys, two fingers slide the buttons down firmly, the interrogation can begin. Bringing back many memories.

Critical

Critical lots of blood and guts here

I am in love with British TV always have been, British TV’s not all glossed perfection and glamour. Not all candy for the eyes. I love the rawness, the understated polish, the seemingly realistic often flawed characters. Not to mention the story lines, though admittedly sometimes the cop shows are feeling a little blended. Any one watching the emergency hospital drama Critical? I watch through my spread fingers thrust in front of my face used as a mobile curtain, beats a cushion as you can still see snippets of blood and gore, of which there is a lot of blood and guts spilling out of their bodies once they cut them open. I am fascinated watching as they slice you open through the fat and muscle. It’s a visual masterpiece. Now a cushion hides all or nothing especially if you peer at the wrong moment over the top of said cushion. Failing that turn the sound off, works well.

Comments

I love the series and movies that come out of Britain too. The actors always look like ordinary people, bad teeth and all. Nothing like what comes from the U.S. Everyone did smoke in 1986 including me. I gave up in 1988 the year before I fell pregnant with my first baby. I did the lace curtain thing too xx

I love British TV as well. Remember ‘Minder’? We all thought Dennis Waterman was a huge spunk and now he is looking more “less of a spunk” in ‘New Tricks’. I have recently been enthralled with the mini series ‘The Honourable Woman’. Although it was a bit hard to follow at times. I will have to watch ‘Critical’ – it sounds right up my alley.

Ooh, Critical sounds like something we would love, thanks for the review 🙂 I also love British TV and drama, and agree it’s often so close to real that it jumps off the screen and out of my memory at me like a canon between the eyes. We’ve been watching George Gently and Inspector Morse recently. Of course I can’t wait for the next Downton Abbey series too.

Hi Jo, I usually only watch BBC TV, ABC or SBS. Living the high life I am. Then only for an hour a night, I tape mostly then will have the occasional TV binge or have it on in the background when I’m cooking x

I haven’t seen or heard of this show but I enjoyed your take on 1986. Was it really nearly 30 years ago? horrors!!
I had lime green bench kitchen bench tops back then and I think orange canisters! (but the canisters were from the 1970s)
You always give us a great read Rae, thanks and have a fab week.

Hi Jill, thank you so much. I know I can’t believe it was 30 years ago either. I’m in denial. a script writer from the BBC tweeted me and said that it was a mix of the 70’s and 80’s. To keep it authentic I guess.